McLeish Keane on Robbie return

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has not ruled out making a permanent move for Robbie Keane in the summer, after the Irishman impressed during his loan spell at Villa Park.

Keane plays his last game for Villa against Wigan this weekend, having scored three goals in six games during his time at the club so far. McLeish believes the signing has been a success, and added that there could be scope for a deal in the close season.

"Who knows? We just need to wait and see what happens between now and then," said McLeish.

Either way, the former Scotland boss hopes Saturday's game will not be Keane's last appearance in the claret and blue shirt.

"Robbie's been a breath of fresh air," McLeish added

"He's a good leader, he's a talker, and he's a very good footballer. It's been great to have him around, and hopefully, some of his influences have rubbed off on some of the younger players. Maybe we've forged a relationship now, and hopefully Robbie thinks of us first if he's going to do this again next season."

Villa have only failed to score in two matches during 2012. However, they have conceded 14 goals in eight games since the turn of the year, without keeping a single clean sheet.

And with defenders Richard Dunne and Ciaran Clark out injured for several weeks, McLeish knows rectifying this situation is a tough task.

"We need to get shut-outs, there's no doubt about it," he said.

"For me, when I was a defender, it probably felt as good as the strikers did scoring the winning goal when we came off the pitch with a shut-out. The defence grow in confidence with that and they get a good understanding, the five at the back, including the goalkeeper. It's time we got back to that."